Conveyor operated misfeed control mechanism for multiple station article delivery apparatus

ABSTRACT

Control mechanism operated by the conveyor of multiple station article feeding apparatus of the type wherein the feeder unit at each station has a misfeed detector and in the preferred form all feeder units but the first are provided with article feed deactivating structure. The control mechanism includes a plurality of actuators swingably mounted on the endless roller chain of the conveyor and each normally located in a standby position. A solenoid operated shifter for each feeder unit is coupled to the detector of an associate feeder unit for operation thereby and located adjacent to the chain to shift the actuator next movable theretoward. Sensors proximal to each shifter in the direction of movement of the chain are positioned to be actuated by an actuator in the operated position thereof. All but the last sensor in the line thereof are connected to the deactivating structure of the next following feeder unit to deactivate the latter upon misfeed of a preceding feeder unit and the last sensor is connected to reject mechanism at the delivery end of the conveyor. Reset cam structure returns an operated actuator to the standby position after it passes by the delivery end of the conveyor. Optionally, the control mechanism may be set up to cause articles to be fed from each station down the line from a station at which a misfeed has occurred but operable to actuate the reject mechanism for the group of articles when they reach the end of the conveyor.

United States Patent Glaser et al.

[15] 3,656,738 1 Apr. 18, 1972 [541 CONVEYOR OPERATED MISFEED CONTROLMECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE STATION ARTICLE DELIVERY APPARATUS [72]Inventors: Donald A. Glaser, Emporia. Kans; Lyle V. Dutro, Pasadena.Calif.; Woodrow W.

Pendleton, Emporia, Kans.

[73] Assignee: Diddle-Glaser, Inc., Emporia, Kans.

[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1970 [211 Appl. No.: 5,033

[52] US. Cl ..270/58,27l/57 [S 1] Int. Cl. ..B65h 39/02 [58] FieldofSearch..... ...,270/58,54,56; 271/57 Primary Examiner- Robert W.Michell Assistant Examiner-L. R. Oremland Attorney-Schmidt, Johnson,Hovey & Williams ABSTRACT Control mechanism operated by the conveyor ofmultiple station article feeding apparatus of the type wherein thefeeder unit at each station has a misfeed detector and in the preferredform all feeder units but the first are provided with article feeddeactivating structure. The control mechanism includes a plurality ofactuators swingably mounted on the endless roller chain of the conveyorand each normally located in a standby position. A solenoid operatedshifter for each feeder unit is coupled to the detector of an associatefeeder unit for operation thereby and located adjacent to the chain toshift the actuator next movable theretoward. Sensors proximal to eachshifter in the direction of movement of the chain are positioned to beactuated by an actuator in the operated position thereof. All but thelast sensor in the line thereof are connected to the deactivatingstructure of the next following feeder unit to deactivate the latterupon misfeed of a preceding feeder unit and the last sensor is connectedto reject mechanism at the delivery end of the conveyor. Reset camstructure returns an operated actuator to the standby position after itpasses by the delivery end of the conveyor. Optionally, the controlmechanism may be set up to cause articles to be fed from each stationdown the line from a station at which a misfeed has occurred butoperable to actuate the reject mechanism for the group of articles whenthey reach the end of the conveyor.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEMPR 18 2972 SHEEI 2 BF 2 CONVEYOROPERATED NUSFEED CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE STATION ARTICLE DELIVERYAPPARATUS This invention relates to control mechanism for multiplestation article feeding apparatus operable to deliver articles fromsuccessive units to a common conveyor assembly and wherein the controlmechanism in its preferred embodiment is actuated by the conveyor toprevent delivery of articles from all stations following a station wherea misfeed has occurred and then operable to reject the articles conveyedto a delivery area in those instances where articles were not directedto the conveyor from all ofthe delivery stations of the series thereof.

Many types of multiple station article feed and delivery equipment arein use for feeding articles successively from the stations to a commonconveyor assembly which. in turn. directs such articles to a receivingarea for subsequent handling, packaging, further treatment or use. Anexample of this type of apparatus presently in use is mechanism fordirecring various sections of a newspaper from respective feedingmechanisms to a common conveyor which is operable to effect opening ofone of the sections for insertion of each section delivered thereafterinto the section which has been opened and to then direct the collatedsections to another conveyor assembly for delivery to a completedsection handling assembly or device for binding a predetennined numberof the papers into a package for convenient delivery. Generallyspeaking. the newspaper feeding asemblies have provision for supportinga number of the individual sections in d'cposition for succesivedelivery thereof to a point on the conveyor where the section isreceived and then moved toward the next station in order that asuccessive newspaper sections may be inserted in the first section whichhas been opened at a point immediately adjacent to the first articlefeeding unit. This process may be repeated any number of times desiredlimited only by the number of feeding mechanisms which are providedalong the length of the corn mon conveyor. The final collated poup ofpapers is received in adeliveryareafor direction bysuitableu'ansferstrucmreto a unit operable to place a binder around apredetermined number of the collated newspapers for convenient deliverythereof.

Machines as described above are not only useful for collating sectionsof newspapers but have equal utility in other fields such as bookasernbling units for a bindery and even have application in bottlefilling equipment and package fillers. In all instances though. themultiple station product feeding units located along the length of thecommon conveyor therefor are constructed to operate at high speeds forgreatest eficiency in view of the relatively high cost of suchequipment. Misfeed of anarticlefromafeederunitcausesproblemsinviewofthehigh speed operation of the equipment in that it is relativelyimpractical for an operator to maintain surveillance over the feedersduring operation thereof and oftentimes the collection of products orarticles from which one section or product is missing because of misfeedhas been conveyed to the delivery areaandsentouduoughtl'iemociatedmechanisrnbeforethe operator can even make anefl'ort to shut off the equipment for removal of the uncompleted groupof articles.

For this reason. most multiple station article equipment ar ranged alonga common conveyor asembly for the articles is provided with controlmechanism for sensing misfeed of an arride from a corresponding feederunit and to thereafier preclude feeding of articles from subsequentfeeder unis and to efiect rejection of the uncompleted asernbly ofarticles at the delivery area herefor. However, the control mechanismsthus far avaiiable for units of tho type have been expensive. subjec tomalfunction. and diflicult. if not to modify to accommodate a greater orleser number offeeding statiom making up a particular installation. Forexample. the owner of a multiple station feeding machine may concludealter initially purchasing a two or three station asembling unit that.infact.heneedsaddit:ional stationstoaocommodatehis particularworkload.Forthatreasonmostnnchinesofthe general type referred to herein are ofmodular design permitting insertion of a many additional feeding unitsas are necesary in the train thereof along the conveyor therefor. allwithout substantial modification of the equipment being required.

The most common control mechanisrrs heretofore available for sensingmisfeed of articles from respective feeding units and to reject anasemblage of articles which does not contain the required number thereofat the delivery area have been either electrically or pneumaticallyoperated and employ a central monitoring system such a a rotatable drumprovided with a pin thereon for each feeding station. with each pinbeing operated by a respective electrically or air controlled poweractuator on the drum and movable upon operation of the correspondingactuator into disposition to engage and operate a sensor switchstablishing a rnisfeed condition. The control drum generally operates todeactivate all of the feeding stations beyond the one in which arnisfeed has occurred as well as rejecting the articles received at thedelivery area which do not comprise a complete group thereof from allstations of the machine which are in concurrent operation. The drumascmblyis causedtorotateataspeedto move the pins thereon at the samespeed of movement of the article-receivrng conveyor.

Although the drum type of unit is eflective when fully operable. it isexpensive, subject to maintenance problems because of the complexitythereof. presents rewiring or air conduit change dificulties whenadditional article feeding units are moved into the train thereof, andinherently imposes a maximum number of station limitation on the machinesince only a certain number of actuators can be mounted so each drumdepending on its diameter. Since the first article-feeding station andthe last are of such nature that they cannot be used interchangeablywith intermediate feeding units. addition of feeders to the seriesthereof normally must take place in the central part of the train.Accordingly. rewiring of the drum or addition of air lines is necesaryupon addition of feeding unitstotbemachine.orforthatmatterremovaloffeedingunits therefrom. thus makinginsertion or removal of feeding units from the machine dificult, timeconsuming. and expensive. Besids rewiring or changing air conduits onthe drum. additional power actuators for each feeding station added mustbe provided on the drum.

It is. therefore. the primary object of the present invention to providecontrol mechanism operated by the conveyor of multiple station articledelivery apparatus capable of detecting misfeed of an article from arespective station and to prevent feeding of articles from subsequentstations in the train thereof and then reject the article or group ofarticles in the feeding sequence in which a misfeed has occrrred withoutthe problems attendant to drum sensing asemblies as described above.

it is a very important object of the invention to provide controlmechanism for a multiple station article feeding machine provided with acommon conveyor for the feeding stationswhereinshiftableacmatorsaremournedontheendleschain of the conveyor aheadof each of the positions thereon normally occupied by articles receivedfrom the corresponding feeding stations and designed to be moved by ashifter operably asociated with the misfecd detector of a precedingarticle feed unit and to operate a sensor adjacent a corrspondingactuator shifter which is connected :0 means for deactivatingthenextfeedingunitsotbatallfeedersaredeactivatedafieramisfeedhasoccurredandwr'ththesensorofthe 1m feedingstation being operable joined to a reject device atthedeliveryareatoprecludeartidesfromgoingintothemainstreamthereofifamisfeedatanystatimlnstakenplace.

A still further important object of the invention is to m-ovide controlmechanism wherein the system is fully expandable at will bythesimpleexpedicntofprovidingacmatorsforeachartide-receiving postion onthe conveyor regardless of thelcngththereofcoupledwithadditionofanactuatorshifler and asensor foreachfecdingstationaddedtothe machine.

Also an important object of the invention is to provide controlmechanism as described which is inherently in time with the feeding unisin the conveyor assembly regardless of the speed of operation thereofand as such speed is varied.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide controlmechanism for a number of article feeding units wherein any one or moreof the article feeders intermediate the initial feeder and the lastfeeding unit may be selectively deactivated at will by the operator ofthe machine without any change in the control mechanism itself beingrequired.

An important object of the invention is to provide control mechanismoperated by the conveyor of multiple station article delivery apparatuswherein revnring thereof or changes in air conduits upon addition orremoval of an articled'eeding unit from the machine is completelyavoided by virtue of the fact that actuators which are designed to beshifted by structure responsive to a misfeed detector of a respectivearticlefeeding unit and the msfeed sensors connected to the deactivatingmechanism of the next succesive article-feeding units are operableindependently of other adjacent control devices regardless of the numberof article-feeding stations or the length of the common conveyorassembly therefor.

A further object is to provide control mechanism as described which canoptionally be set up to detect that a misfeed has occurred at one of thearticle-feeding stations but permitting articles down the line therefromto be fed to the conveyor whereupon the group of articles from which oneor more is missing are rejected at the delivery area of the machinewithout interference with the operating speed of the assembly or thatthe entire structure be shut down to correct the feeding error.

Other important objects and advantages of control mechanism embodyingthis invention will be described or become obvious u the followingspecification progreses.

In the drawin FIG. 1 s a fragmentary, esentially schematic top plan viewrepresentation of multiple station article delivery apparatus havingmisl'eed control mechanism therefor embodying the preferred concepts ofthis invention and showing aseries ofartide-feeding stations locatedalong the length of a common conveyor therefor. as well as anarticle-receiving area at one end of the conveyor for directing theasembly of articles to a point of further handling or use;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, ako esentially schematic representationot'mechanismatthearticle-reoeivingareaattheendof the conveyor isillustrated in FIG. 1, showing components for handling the asernblyofarticles aswellasmeansforrejecting thesinglearticleorasemblythereofifamisfeedoccurs:

FlG.3isafi-agmentar v planviewofapartoftheconveyor of a multiple stationarticle-delivery machine and illustrating the novel control actuators ofthe present invention in asociation withasolenoid controlled shiftertherei'orand asensorfor sensing w-n ofa control actuator in an operatedposi- 'mnalongwithresetenrn strucmreforthecontrolactuarors;

FlG.4isa,sideele -ationalviewofthestructureilhstratedinFlGJwithparsthereofbeingbrokenaway and in section for chrit'y;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary, vertical elem-sectionalavilfgrstaltensubmntnllyorttlielinsS-Sand66of1-l(i.4;

FIG. 7isanenlargedplanviewofoneofthecontrolactuatorsoatheconveyorclninwithmeoennalportionthereofbeing broken away and in section to reval the internal constructionthereof.

The control mechanism of this invention in its preferred embodimentailrstrated'sespedallysuitableforuseonmultiplestationarticlefeedanddeliveryapparatusshown esenlandlandbroadlydesigrrazed by the numeral 10. Forpurposes of illustration only. four arriclefeedingunits12,l4.16and18aredepictedinthe drawings as representative of a multiple stationasembly. but itistobereoogrizedthatany numberoffeedingunitsmaybe commonconveyor asembly designated 20. The end component 22 defining a deliveryarea 22 at one end of the conveyor 20 has mechanism 24 for eitherdirecting the collated articles fed from respective unis 12-18 ontoconveyor as sembly 20, to a handling station, or for rejecting articlesfed thereto if one or more of the units 12-18 misfeeds.

The control mechanism for apparatus 10 is adapted for use witharticle-feeding units of the modular type which may be joined end to endto present as many article feeding stations as desired for a particularjob. Generally speaking though. the first article feeding unit 12 andthe lat feeding unit 18 are one of a kind. whereas the intermediateunits 14 and 16 are of identical construction and operation so that anynumber of the same rnay be interposed between end units 12 and 18.Although the feeding units could be of various oonstructiors andutilities. those shown schematically in FIG. 1 are of the type forsuccesively delivering newspaper sections onto the inclined table 26 ofthe conveyor asernbly 20 for collation and ultimate delivery to endcomponent 22 forming a part of apparatus 10. Thus, each of the units12-18 has an upright support table R for receiving a plurality of thenewspaper sections in uprifltt dispodtion, along with pickup andtransport mechanisn 30 which is cooperable with the verticallyoscillatable roller asembly 32 to remove an adjacent newspaper sectionfrom the stack thereof, direct the section acres the top of platform 34of the respective unit and under the roller asembly 36 onto theupperface oftable 26.

The specific construction and operation of the feeding unit described isnot a part of the present invention and has been shown for purposes ofillustration only with it being un derstood that article-feeding unitsof various types may be controlled with the novel mechanism of thisinvention so long as the feeding units have a detector 38 asociatedtherewith for indicating rnisfeed in the event the detector 38 is notactuated by an article moving thereacros in interengagernent therewithas the article is transferred to table 2.6 of conveyor assembly 20. Inaddition, all of the article-feeding units with the exception of thefirst unit 12 should be provided with meats for preventing feeding of anarticle onto table 26 if a preceding unit 12 fails to deliver an articleto the conveyor table as sexed by the detector 38 forming a part of thefeeding unit. In the cme ofthe unis 14. 16 and 18 shown schematically inFIG. 1, deactivating means broadly designated 40. is provided on eachofthe unis 14,16 and 18 in asociation witharespectivepicltupandtransportmechanismMJnthkinstance. each of thedeactivating means 40 comprises a sole noid which prevents oommunimtionof the corresponding pickup and transport mechanism with a vacuum sourceeach time the solenoid of the deactivating meals is energized. thuspreventing pickup and delivery of the newspaper section to conveyoraernbly 20.

Conveyor asembly 20 may also be of conventional construction involvingan endles roller chain 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4) trained at opposite endsthereof around corresponding cs 44 and 46 rotatable about parallelupright support shaflsficarriedbyhoriaomalframe membersformingapartofappatatus l0. Aseriesofvertical platessllbelowtable 26andhavingangemembersnontheuppermarginssflo thereofserve to suwort theupper and lower segments 26a andzfibrnspectielyoftablelfiAnumberofflteupright plates 50 are provided along thelength ofthe conveyor assembly 20 in horizontally spaced relationshipand have a pair ofupwardly opening. upright, horizontally spaced slots54 and 56 therein which clear corresponding elongated stretches ofendless roller chain 42. Two pairs of horizontal. elongated.hotizontallyspaoedblocksslandwareprovidedinunderlyirtgrelationshipnotable26.horizontallyaligned.estendingthroughrespectiveslosfiandfilcarriedbysupporting members 62 oncorresponding plates 50 and receiving the elongated stretches of rollerchain 42 therebetween for supporting and guiding the latter.

The roller chain 42 is of conventional comtructioncomprisprovidedtnend-to-end relationshipalongthelength oftheingaseriesofprirnarylinksfla eachmadeupofupperand lower figure eightshaped plates 64 and 66 interconnected by tubular elements carryingroller sleeves 68 thereon between link plates 64 and 66. Opposed, figureeight shaped connector link plates 70 and 72 pivotally join adjacentlinks 42a by pins 74 and 76 thereon which extend through the tubularelements between plates 64 and 66.

Elongated, upright pusher rods 78 secured to an extension 74c or 760 ofone of the pins 74 or 76 as the case may be, project upwardly throughthe opening presented by opposed margins of segments 26a and 26b formoving sections of newspaper delivered to conveyor assembly 20, towardthe receiving area presented by component 22 as the newspaper sectionsslide along and are supported by the Z-shaped lower conveyor wall 80.The spacing between adjacent rods 78 is slightly greater than theeffective transverse width of the table of each of the platfonns 34 ofunits 12-18 and thereby spaced somewhat greater than the length of thelongest article (in this case a newspaper section) adapted to bedelivered to conveyor assembly 20 for transport thereby.

It is thus to be recognized that the disposition of rods 78 and thespeed of chain conveyor 42 is timed with the operation of units 12-18 sothat a newspaper section delivered to the table 26 from correspondingstacks of papers on tables 28 are received between rods 78 so that thetrailing rod 78 will engage the rear margin of the newspaper section andmove it to the right viewing FIG. 1, toward the delivery area presentedby end component 22. Although not shown in the drawings, it is to beunderstood that apparatus is frequently provided with mechanism operableto separate the folds of the first newspaper section directed onto table26 as it moves away from the first unit so that the newspaper sectiondelivered from each successive feeding unit is inserted into thenewspaper section which has been partially opened and is held in suchopened condition throughout the length of the conveyor assembly tothereby present a collated newspaper as sembly. This, of course, is notessential to the operability of the control mechanism of this invention.

As indicated schematically in FIG. 2, component 22 has mechanism forreceiving the collated newspaper sections to deliver them to a conveyorleading to an area remote from apparatus 10 for further processing orhandling. For purposes of illustration, mechanism 24 is shown as havingconventional components including a rotatable, segmental drive member 82above the plateform 84, while the roller assembly 86 underlying platform84 and projecting through opening 88 therein is cooperable with drivemember 82 to direct collated newspaper sections into one of the pockets90 defined by the curved, horizontally spaced, elongated fingers 92 ofcreel 94. Fingers 92 are mounted on the body of creel 94 in dispositiondefining essentially 90 segments around the periphery of the creel witheach pocket 90 opening toward platform 84 to receive collated newspapersections therein as the latter are driven downwardly toward creel 94 bymutually cooperable drive member 82 and roller assembly 86.

A reject gate 96 is provided in proximity to the lower edge of platform84 for rotation about a horizontal axis and has an elongated supportingshaft 98 projecting through the end all 100 of component 22. Crank 102connected to the outer end of shaft 98 is pivotally joined to the outerend of a rod 104 reciprocably mounted with a pneumatic cylinder 106controlled by a solenoid valve 108. In the normal disposition of gate 96as illustrated in FIG. 2, collated newspaper sections are permitted tobe driven down into one of the pockets 90 of creel 94. Upon energizationof the solenoid valve 108 to actuate cylinder 106, the rod 104 isretracted to swing gate 96 into the dotted line position of the sameillustrated in FIG. 2 to divert any newspapers delivered to plateform 84over the top of the adjacent ends of fingers 92 defining one of thepockets 90 so that such papers will not be delivered to the conveyorassociated with creel 94 leading to handling or processing equipment atthe end of the conveyor.

Control mechanism comprising the subject matter of the present inventionis made up of a series of actuators broadly designated 1 10 and mountedon endless roller chain conveyor 42 between rods 78, combined with anactuator shifter 112 for each of the units 12-18, operated actuatorsensors 114 for each of the shifters 112, and actuator reset camstructure 116.

Since the actuators are identical in construction, only one of the samewill be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and7. As is clear from these Figures, each actuator comprises afrusto-pyramidal block 118 of wear-resistant synthetic resin materialsuch as a phenol-formaldehyde polymer and provided with opposed, uprightside faces 120 and 122 which converge in the direction of movement ofthat stretch of the roller chain on which a corresponding actuator 110is mounted. Structure for pivotally mounting each block 118 on one ofthe link plates 420 comprises an extension of a pin (designated 76a inthe drawings) with the C retainer 124 on the respective pin 76a servingto hold the block 118 thereon without interfering with rotation of suchblock about the vertical axis of the corresponding pin 76a. The nextadjacent pin 74a of the roller chain conveyor 42 in a direction awayfrom component 22 of apparatus 10 also extends above the upper face ofthe chain conveyor and is received within the notch 126 of block 118defined by leg portions 118a and 1l8b presenting a bifurcated outer end.An elongated passage 128 within block 118, communicating with notch 126between legs 118a and 118b and extending longitudinally of block 118,carries a coil spring 130 which biases the ball detent 132 outwardlytoward the proximal pin 740. By virtue of this arrangement, thebifurcated end of block 118 is yieldably biased toward a positionadjacent the inside of the conveyor chain 42 or as shown by dotted linesin FIG. 3 on the outside of the conveyor chain assembly as indicated bythe full line illustration of such Figure.

Each shifter 112 comprises a generally U-shaped support body 134 mountedin underlying relationship to the stretch of roller chain 42 away fromdelivery units 12-18. The upright, generally L-shaped legs 1340 of body134 are secured to the outer pair of blocks 58 and 60 and have upwardlyopening notches 136 therein for clearing the roller chain as is apparentin FIG. 5. A generally L-shaped shifter plate 138 is pivotally mountedon the outer margin 140 of bight portion 134!) of body 134 by horizontalhinge structure 142 with the upper, intumed lip portion 138a of plate138 being located in proximal relationship to the links of chain 42.Adjustment screw 144 threadably mounted in the upper end of plate 138permits selective variation of the extent of pivoting thereof bysolenoid 146 mounted within body 134 on the bight portion 134b thereof.An extension 148 on the armature 150 of solenoid 146 extends throughplate 138 and is joined thereto by nut 152 on the outer end of extension148. Coil spring 154 surrounding armature 150 between the body ofsolenoid 146 and plate 138 normally biases the latter into the positionof the same illustrated in FIG. 5 with lip 1380 out of the path oftravel of actuators 110 on roller chain 42.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, a shifter 112 is provided adjacent theright-hand portion of each of the feeder platfon-ns 34 of units 12-18respectively. The coil of each solenoid 146 is operably connected to thedetector 38 of a preceding article feeding unit 12-18 to cause thesolenoid 146 associated therewith to be energized when detector 38,comprising a normally closed switch, fails to open under the pressure ofa newspaper section passing thereacross, thus indicating a misfeed.

The sensors 114 are also of identical construction and are disposedalong the outer stretch of chain 42 with the exception of the sensor114a associated with the end unit 18 which is located at the backstretchof the chain conveyor 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

First describing the specific construction of each sensor 114 as isapparent from FIG. 6, the U-shaped body 156 has opposed, upright,L-shaped legs 156a underlying and secured to the outer blocks 58 and 60and also provided with upwardly opening notches 158 therein for clearingthe outer stretch of chain 42. An L-shaped sensor plate 160 having bars160a secured to the inner face thereof adjacent to the side margins ofthe same, pivotally carried by opposed legs 1560 of body 156, has anintumed lip 160b on the upper margin thereof designed to engage anactuator 110 in an operated position. Screw 162 passing through plate160 and engageable with the proximal margin of outer block 58, regulatesthe throw of plate 160 about the axis of pivoting movement thereof.Switch 164 carried by the bight portion 156!) of body 156 has a contactoperator 166 thereon normally engaging the lower part of plate 160 andbiasing the latter in a clockwise direction, viewing FIG. 6, to maintainadjustment screw 162 against proximal block 58. The sensor plate 160 islocated on the inside of the outer stretch of conveyor chain 42 with thesensors being located in proximal relationship to respective shifters112 in a direction toward the delivery area defined by component 22 ofapparatus 10 so that when an actuator 110 is operated by a correspondingshifter 112, such operated condition of the actuator 110 is immediatelysensed by a corresponding sensor 114 and succeeding sensors 114.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sensor 114b associated with shifter 1120 isoperably connected to the feed deactivating means 40 of newspapersection feed unit 14, while shifter 112a is operated by the detector 38of unit 12. Similarly, the next shifter 1l2b is operably associated withthe detector 38 of unit 14, while sensor 1140 is operably joined to thedeactivating means 40 of unit 16. Shifter 1120 proximal to theright-hand end of unit 16 is operably connected to the detector 38thereof, while the next adjacent sensor 114d is joined to thedeactivating means 40 of end feeding unit 18. The last shifter 112doperably connected to detector 38 of unit 18 is in proximal relationshipto the end sprocket 46 in general alignment with the right-hand marginof platform 84 of end unit 18 to shift an actuator 110 before the lattergoes around in sprocket 46.

The sensor 1140 on the backside of the conveyor chain 42 is located justinside the left-hand edge of platform 34 of end unit 18 with the plate160 thereof on the inside of the conveyor chain adjacent inner block 60.The cam structure 116 is positioned to the left of the sensor 114aviewing FIG. 1, on the inside of the inner stretch of the conveyor chainfor returning an operated actuator 110 to the standby position thereofas illustrated in FIG. 3. Structure 116 comprises a horizontal plate 168having an inclined cam surface 168a thereon and mounted on a supportingblock 170 in disposition such that the cam surface 1680 is located tocontact a face 120 of an actuator 110 when the latter is in the positionof the same illustrated in FIG. 3 but to clear such actuator when thelatter is in the standby position of the same as shown by the full lineillustration of the actuator 110 proximal to shifter 1l2c depicted inFIG. 3.

As is apparent from the preceding description during normal operation ofapparatus 10, newspaper sections are delivered in successive order fromsuccessive units 12-18 onto the conveyor assembly for movement alongtable 26 by respective rods 78. Assuming that structure is provided forinserting each section into the first opened section, the collatedassembly is directed onto platform 84 and then into a pocket 90 of creel94 for delivery to a conveyor of component 22 leading to a packaging orhandling area.

However, if any one of the units 12-18 misfeeds, it is desirable inaccordance with the preferred concepts of the invention that allfollowing units in the train thereof be deactivated during that cycle ofoperation so that no additional newspaper sections are fed to conveyorassembly 20 and that the incomplete collection of newspaper sectionsdelivered to component 22 be rejected and not directed into a pocket 90of creel 94 for delivery to the conveyor of component 22. 1f the firstarticle feeding unit 12 misfeeds, then the rejection mechanism is notnecessary as such since all of the following feeding units will bedeactivated for that cycle of operation and no newspaper sections willbe delivered to the component 22. However, if the unit 12 feeds but theunit 14 misfeeds, then although units 16 and 18 will be deactivated topreclude feeding of newspaper sections therefrom onto conveyor 20, thenewspaper section delivered to conveyor assembly 20 by feeding unit 12must be rejected in component 22 to preclude delivery thereof to theconveyor leading to the primary conveyor assembly of end component 22.For that reason, the reject gate 96 is preferably raised each time oneof the units 12-18 misfeeds, even though it might be a misfeed of thefirst unit 12.

However, assuming first that unit 16 misfeeds the following sequence ofoperation of the control mechanism takes place. Unit 12 feeds anewspaper section onto conveyor assembly 20 between adjacent rods 78 andthe trailing rod pushes the newspaper section toward unit 14 as chain 42is continuously moved by the drive mechanism connected to one of thesprockets 44 or 46. A newspaper section opening device associated withthe conveyor assembly 20 and located between units 12 and 14 is operableto partially open the folded newspaper section delivered from unit 12and hold such section sufficiently open to permit insertion of anewspaper section from the next adjacent feeding unit. The partiallyopened section is held in essentially that condition substantiallythroughout the length of conveyor assembly 20. The detector 38 of unit12 is depressed during transport of a newspaper sec tion over theplatform 34 of unit 12 thereby maintaining the circuit to solenoid 146of shifter 112 de-energized to preclude actuation of shifter 112a. As aconsequence, the actuator a (FIG. 1) which next moves toward the shifter112a remains in the standby position thereof, an also clears the sensorplate 160 of sensor 114b. As the newspaper section delivered to conveyor20 from unit 12 moves into alignment with the feed mechanism of unit 14,a section from the table 28 thereof is delivered onto table 26 by pickupand transport mechanism 30 associated therewith by virtue of the factthat deactivating means 40 of unit 14 is not energized by closing ofswitch 164 of sensor 11412. The newspaper section from unit 14 isinserted between the folded portions partially opened of the sectionfrom unit 12. Again the rods 78 trailing such interleaved sections movethe same toward the unit 16 for insertion of another newspaper sectionin the first opened section. The deactivating means 40 of unit 16 is notoperated because detector 38 of unit 14 senses delivery of a newspaperto conveyor assembly 20 thus preventing operation of shifter 1121; andthus preventing operation of deactivating means 40 of unit 16 by sensor114c.

But, assuming malfunction of the unit 16 for some reason in that pickupand transport mechanism 30 of unit 16 fails to pick up a newspapersection for some reason, the detector 38 of unit 16 fails to bedepressed to open the switch thereof thus causing solenoid 146 ofshifter 112c to be energized to shift plate 138 thereof counterclockwiseviewing FIG. 5, and thus move actuator 1100 into the dotted lineposition shown in FIG. 3 as the lip 138a of plate 138 engages theproximal face 122 of block 118 to shift the bifurcated end of theactuator inwardly toward the central part of the conveyor chain 42against the bias of ball 132 forced outwardly by spring 130. Theactuator 1100 is thereby retained in its operated position by contact ofball 132 on the opposite side of the axis of pin 74a.

As the operated actuator 110a continues movement along the outer stretchof conveyor chain 42, the inner face of the operated actuator 1110contacts the lip 16Gb of plate to bias the latter in a counterclockwisedirection as shown in FIG. 6 to shift the contacts of switch 1 64 intoclosed disposition thus operating deactivating means 40 of unit 18 asthe two sections of newspaper received from units 12 and 14 are movedinto alignment with the platform 34 of final article feeding unit 18.The two sections then are delivered to platform 84 whereupon reject gate96 is raised by virtue of energization of solenoid 108 operablyconnected to sensor 114a. The latter is located on the backside of theconveyor chain by virtue of the fact that the reject gate 96 cannot beoperated until after the sections comprising an assembly which is notcomplete by virtue of misfeed of one of the delivery units, has

111N117 non-r been moved onto the plateform 84 for delivery to creel 94by virtue of timed rotation of drive segment 82 relative to rollerassembly 86. Continued movement of the operated actuator 110a intoengagement with the cam plate 168 of structure 116 returns the operatedactuator to the standby position of the same.

It is important to note in this connection that although the descriptionabove has been predicated on successive delivery of newspaper sectionsfrom successive units 12-18, as if no additional sections were beingdelivered to the conveyor assembly 20, this is not in fact the actualcase because once a cycle has been completed, all components arereturned to the initial condition thereof and a full feeding cycle isinitiated and completed provided no other misfeed occurs along theseries of delivery units 12-18. However though, if the unit whichmisfeeds fails to misfeed on another cycle of operation, thedeactivation of subsequent feeding units and operation of the rejectmechanism is again carried out with the sequence being repeated untilthe operator of apparatus 10 clears up the difficulty.

Misfeed of any of the units 12-18 has the same effect as previouslydescribed except that if unit 12 misfeed as noted, no newspaper sectionsare delivered onto platform 84 for rejection by gate 96. However, aftermisfeed, the unit 12 attempts to feed another newspaper section to theconveyor assembly and a normal cycle will be carried out unless one ofthe units subsequent thereto malfunctions.

It is also now apparent that any feeding units intermediate between endunits 12 and 18 may be shut off by the operator of the machine. Anynumber of intermediate feeding assemblies such as 14 and 16 may beinserted in the train without rewiring of the control mechanism beingnecessary and lengthening of conveyor chain 42 and provision of anactuator 110 between adjacent rods 78 being the only requirement otherthan the provision of a shifter 112 and a sensor 114 for each addedarticle feeding unit. Although the drawings and description havedetailed electrically actuated mechanism, it is to be appreciated thatthe entire system or portions thereof may be pneumatically operated ifdesired, preferably using air operated servo valves for this purpose.For example, air valves may be used in place of switches 164 andpneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies substituted for solenoids 146.Hydraulically operated components may also be substituted for theelectrically actuated devices shown and described herein if this isfound to be advantageous for a particular installation.

If the operator of the machine desires to permit all of the feedingunits in the train to direct an article to the conveyor assembly 20 ifthey are capable of doing so even if one of the feeding units fails tooperate during one cycle, but to then reject such incomplete assembly ofarticles before they can be directed onto the delivery conveyor of endcomponent 22, this can readily be accomplished by simply removing theshifter 112 and sensor 114 of intermediate units 14 and 16 from thecontrol sequence. In this case, even though one of the actuators 110 isshifted upon misfeed of a corresponding feeding unit, such operatedcondition of the actuator is not sensed until it approaches the sensorassociated with end unit 18 to thereby effect operation of the rejectgate 96 when the assembly of incomplete articles approach creel 94.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In multiple station article feeding and delivery apparatus providedwith a series of article feeding units for directing articles insuccessive order from the units to a common conveyor assembly havingstructure for moving articles fed thereto to a receiving area andwherein each of the article feeding units is provided with an articlemisfeed detector and all article feeding units but the first in theseries thereof are each provided with means for deactivating arespective article feeding unit upon command, the combination with saidapparatus of control mechanism comprising:

a plurality of actuators mounted on the conveyor assembly structure formovement therewith and each having a shiftable component movablerelative to the structure between normal and operated positions thereof,

there being an actuator on the conveyor assembly structure ahead of eachposition thereon normally occupied by articles received from the articlefeeding units;

an actuator shifter for each article feeding unit respectively, locatedadjacent the conveyor assembly in association with a correspondingarticle feeding unit and including a shiftable member, each shifterbeing operably associated with the detector on the respective articlefeeding unit for operation by said detector to shift the member intoengagement with the component of the next actuator movable theretowardand to move said component from said normal position of the same to theoperated position thereof as a result of misfeed by the correspondingarticle feeding unit;

a delivery feed sensor for each of the shifters except the oneassociated with the last article feeding unit of the series thereof anddisposed to be actuated by the component of an actuator in said operatedposition of the same,

each of said delivery feed sensors being operably associated with thedeactivating means of the next successive article feeding unit forinitiating operation of the deactivating means therefor upon actuationof the corresponding sensor;

means at said area for rejecting articles delivered thereto;

a reject sensor connected to said reject means for operating the latterand located to be engaged by an operated component of an actuator afterthe latter has been passed by the shifter associated with the lastarticle feeding unit of the series thereof; and

actuator reset means adjacent the conveyor assembly structure forengaging an operated actuator component to return the same to saidnormal position thereof after passing by said reject sensor.

2. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless structure having a stretch adjacentthe article feeding units and wherein the member of each shifter ismounted for pivoting movement adjacent a corresponding part of saidstretch of the conveyor assembly structure and is shiftable from anormal position clearing the actuator components next movabletheretoward into the operated position of the same, there being powermeans joined to said member of each shifter and coupled to acorresponding detector for operation thereby.

3. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless structure having a stretch adjacentthe article feeding units and wherein each delivery feed sensor of themechanism comprises an element mounted for pivoting movement adjacent acorresponding part of said stretch of the conveyor assembly structureand disposed to be moved by an actuator component passing thereby in anoperated position, and a switch associated with each element foractuation thereby and coupled to a corresponding deactivating means forinitiating operation of the latter.

4. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless structure having a first stretchmovable toward the receiving area and a second stretch returning fromsaid area during operation of the conveyor assembly and wherein saidreject sensor of the mechanism comprises an element mounted for pivotingmovement adjacent a part of the return stretch of the endless structureproximal to the last article feeding unit of the series thereof anddisposed to be moved by an actuator component passing thereby in anoperated position, and a switch associated with said element foractuation thereby and coupled to said reject means for initiatingoperation of the latter.

5. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless structure having a first stretchmovable toward the receiving area and a second stretch returning fromsaid area during operation of the conveyor assembly and wherein saidreset means of the mechanism comprises a cam located adjacent the returnstretch of the conveyor structure in disposition to engage each actuatorcomponent in an operated position to return the same to the standbyposition thereof.

6. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein eachactuator of the mechanism comprises a block mounted for pivotingmovement about an axis perpendicular to the path of travel of theconveyor assembly structure, and yieldable retainer means on each blockand engageable with the conveyor assembly structure for yieldablymaintaining the corresponding block in the nonnal position thereof untiloperated and vice versa.

7. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless roller chain structure havingpivotally interconnected links and wherein each actuator of themechanism comprises a block, pin means on the chain structure at thejoint between a pair of adjacent links rotatably supporting the block atone end thereof, a stop pin on the chain at the opposite end of theblock, and detent means carried by the block and engaging the stop pinfor yieldably retaining the block in one of the positions thereof.

8. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 7 of controlmechanism wherein each of said blocks is of longitudinally taperedconfiguration having opposed faces which diverge as said stop isapproached, each of said stop pins being located in dispositionfollowing a corresponding block mounting pin in the direction ofmovement of the conveyor assembly structure.

9. In multiple station article feeding and delivery apparatus providedwith a series of article feeding units for directing articles fromsuccessive units to a common conveyor assembly having structure formoving articles delivered thereto to a receiving area and wherein atleast one of the article feeding units has an article misfeed detectorand each article feeding unit next adjacent an article feeding unitprovided with a detector in a direction toward the receiving area hasmeans for deactivating a respective article feeding unit upon command,

the combination with said apparatus of control mechanism comprising:

a plurality of actuators mounted on the conveyor assembly structure formovement therewith and each having shiftable component movable relativeto the structure between normal and operated positions thereof,

there being an actuator on the conveyor assembly structure ahead of eachposition thereon normally occupied by articles received from the articlefeeding units;

an actuator shifter for each article feeding unit provided withdeactivation means. located adjacent the conveyor assembly inassociation with the preceding article feeding unit in a direction awayfrom the receiving area and including a shiftable member, each shifterbeing operably associated with the detector of a preceding articlefeeding unit for operation by said detector to shifi the member intoengagement with the component of the next actuator movable theretowardand to move said component from said normal position of the same to theoperated position thereof as a result of misfeed by a preceding articlefeeding unit;

a delivery feed sensor for each shifter located in proximal relationshipthereto in a direction toward the receiving area and disposed to beactuated by an operated actuator component,

each of said delivery feed sensors being operably associated with thedeactivating means of the next successive article feeding unit forinitiating operation of the deactivating means therefor upon actuationof the corresponding sensor; and

means for returning an operated actuator component to the normalposition thereof after the actuator has moved by the last sensor inapproaching said receiving area.

10. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein saiddelivery feed sensors are selectively associated with the deactivatingmeans of the next associated article feeding unit.

1. In multiple station article feeding and delivery apparatus providedwith a series of article feeding units for directing articles insuccessive order from the units to a common conveyor assembly havingstructure for moving articles fed thereto to a receiving area andwherein each of the article feeding units is provided with an articlemisfeed detector and all article feeding units but the first in theseries thereof are each provided with means for deactivating arespective article feeding unit upon command, the combination with saidapparatus of control mechanism comprising: a plurality of actuatorsmounted on the conveyor assembly structure for movement therewith andeach having a shiftable component movable relative to the structurebetween normal and operated positions thereof, there being an actuatoron the conveyor assembly structure ahead of each position thereonnormally occupied by articles received from the article feeding units;an actuator shifter for each article feeding unit respectively, locatedadjacent the conveyor assembly in association with a correspondingarticle feeding unit and including a shiftable member, each shifterbeing operably associated with the detector on the respective articlefeeding unit for operation by said detector to shift the member intoengagement with the component of the next actuator movable theretowardand to move said component from said normal position of the same to theoperated position thereof as a result of misfeed by the correspondingarticle feeding unit; a delivery feed sensor for each of the shiftersexcept the one associated with the last article feeding unit of theseries thereof and disposed to be actuated by the component of anactuator in said operated position of the same, each of said deliveryfeed sensors being operably associated with the deactivating means ofthe next successive article feeding unit for initiating operation of thedeactivating means therefor upon actuation of the corresponding sensor;means at said area for rejecting articles delivered thereto; a rejectsensor connected to said reject means for operating the latter andlocated to be engaged by an operated component of an actuator after thelatter has been passed by the shifter associated with the last articlefeeding unit of the series thereof; and actuator reset means adjacentthe conveyor assembly structure for engaging an operated actuatorcomponent to return the same to said normal position thereof afterpassing by said reject sensor.
 2. The combination with apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein said conveyor assembly includes endlessstructure having a stretch adjacent the article feeding units andwherein the member of each shifter is mounted for pivoting movementadjacent a corresponding part of said stretch of the conveyor assemblystructure and is shiftable from a normal position clearing the actuatorcomponents next movable theretoward into the operated position of thesame, there being power means joined to said member of each shifter andcoupled to a corresponding detector for operation thereby.
 3. Thecombination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidconveyor assembly includes endless structure having a stretch adjacentthe article feeding units and wherein each delivery feed sensor of themechanism comprises an element mounted for pivoting movement adjacent acorresponding part of said stretch of the conveyor assembly structureand disposed to be moved by an actuator component passing thereby in anoperated position, and a switch associated with each element foractuation thereby and coupled to a corresponding deactivating means forinitiating operation of the latter.
 4. The combination with apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein said conveyor assembly includes endlessstructure having a first stretch movable toward the receiving area and asecond streTch returning from said area during operation of the conveyorassembly and wherein said reject sensor of the mechanism comprises anelement mounted for pivoting movement adjacent a part of the returnstretch of the endless structure proximal to the last article feedingunit of the series thereof and disposed to be moved by an actuatorcomponent passing thereby in an operated position, and a switchassociated with said element for actuation thereby and coupled to saidreject means for initiating operation of the latter.
 5. The combinationwith apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conveyor assemblyincludes endless structure having a first stretch movable toward thereceiving area and a second stretch returning from said area duringoperation of the conveyor assembly and wherein said reset means of themechanism comprises a cam located adjacent the return stretch of theconveyor structure in disposition to engage each actuator component inan operated position to return the same to the standby position thereof.6. The combination with apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein eachactuator of the mechanism comprises a block mounted for pivotingmovement about an axis perpendicular to the path of travel of theconveyor assembly structure, and yieldable retainer means on each blockand engageable with the conveyor assembly structure for yieldablymaintaining the corresponding block in the normal position thereof untiloperated and vice versa.
 7. The combination with apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said conveyor assembly includes endless roller chainstructure having pivotally interconnected links and wherein eachactuator of the mechanism comprises a block, pin means on the chainstructure at the joint between a pair of adjacent links rotatablysupporting the block at one end thereof, a stop pin on the chain at theopposite end of the block, and detent means carried by the block andengaging the stop pin for yieldably retaining the block in one of thepositions thereof.
 8. The combination with apparatus as set forth inclaim 7 of control mechanism wherein each of said blocks is oflongitudinally tapered configuration having opposed faces which divergeas said stop is approached, each of said stop pins being located indisposition following a corresponding block mounting pin in thedirection of movement of the conveyor assembly structure.
 9. In multiplestation article feeding and delivery apparatus provided with a series ofarticle feeding units for directing articles from successive units to acommon conveyor assembly having structure for moving articles deliveredthereto to a receiving area and wherein at least one of the articlefeeding units has an article misfeed detector and each article feedingunit next adjacent an article feeding unit provided with a detector in adirection toward the receiving area has means for deactivating arespective article feeding unit upon command, the combination with saidapparatus of control mechanism comprising: a plurality of actuatorsmounted on the conveyor assembly structure for movement therewith andeach having shiftable component movable relative to the structurebetween normal and operated positions thereof, there being an actuatoron the conveyor assembly structure ahead of each position thereonnormally occupied by articles received from the article feeding units;an actuator shifter for each article feeding unit provided withdeactivation means, located adjacent the conveyor assembly inassociation with the preceding article feeding unit in a direction awayfrom the receiving area and including a shiftable member, each shifterbeing operably associated with the detector of a preceding articlefeeding unit for operation by said detector to shift the member intoengagement with the component of the next actuator movable theretowardand to move said component from said normal position of the same to theoperated position thereof as a result of misfeed by a preceding articlefeeding unit; a delivery feed sensor for each shifter located inproximal relationship thereto in a direction toward the receiving areaand disposed to be actuated by an operated actuator component, each ofsaid delivery feed sensors being operably associated with thedeactivating means of the next successive article feeding unit forinitiating operation of the deactivating means therefor upon actuationof the corresponding sensor; and means for returning an operatedactuator component to the normal position thereof after the actuator hasmoved by the last sensor in approaching said receiving area.
 10. Thecombination with apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said deliveryfeed sensors are selectively associated with the deactivating means ofthe next associated article feeding unit.